Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) today organized export awareness workshop in association with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) , Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd (ECGC), State Bank of India (SBI) and Council of Scientific Research, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM Jammu) at Udhampur.

The workshop is in continuation to the planned events to be held across the UT to promote exports from all districts of Jammu and Kashmir under District as Export Hub Scheme/ODOP initiative. Besides, Export Awareness Workshops at district level aims to boost and support exports from J&K and with focus on developing each district as export hub under District as Export Hub/ODOP initiatives.

The workshop also focused on potential of ODOP products and other potential products of Udhampur district including Garlic, Aromatic Oils, etc.

The workshop included detailed sessions on benefits of exports, process of getting IEC code, awareness regarding India Business Portal and India Trade portal, credit linkages for exports and credit risk insurance facilities and potential of products of region in international market.

Pankaj Kumar Anand, General Manger, Udhampur addressed the gathering informing about major products from Udhampur which have potential for exports and highlighted the importance of fine tuning and finishing of products. He also emphasized about the importance of proper branding to make the products export ready.

Kausar Fatima, Business Development Manager, APEDA, Jammu, started the session with a brief introduction about APEDA and with a focus to take local agricultural and allied products of Udhampur to global market. Special focus was on aromatic plants, garlic and other local products of district which has a huge export potential and has currently in huge demand in international market. She also mentioned that garlic based processed products such as garlic powder, garlic granules has a lot of untapped potential.

A K Bhushan, Deputy DGFT, Jammu conducted the session on introduction of various government scheme for export and documentation required for IEC registration.

Introduction to Indian Business Portal and Indian Trade portal was delivered by Gaurav Gupta, Assistant Director FIEO. He also discussed ways to cater to the international demand of products through the local suppliers of Udhampur.

The participants were informed about Credit Facilities, Hedging Benefits and Trading by the customer on FX-Retail Platform by Chirag, Manager (Regional Treasury Marketing Unit), State Bank of India, Delhi. He explained about various competitive loan products on offer from SBI for exporters.

Debi Prasad, Executive Officer, ECGC Srinagar gave details about Credit Risk Insurance and related services for exports.

Dr Sumeet Gairola, Principal Scientist, CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine gave a brief Introduction to Aroma Mission and importance of Testing for Aromatic Plants. He emphasized that Udhampur has a lot of potential in aromatic plants such as Lemon Grass and Lavender which has a huge local and international demand.

Chief Planning Officer, Mudassar Yakoob Zargar, closed the session by conveying the message of Deputy Commissioner Udhampur stating that the export awareness workshop was very planned interactive session which cover all the major aspects for exports, right from documents required to get IEC Code, market linkages, financial and insurance assistance. He added that more such workshop should be organized at district level on continuous basis.

Earlier, Mukesh Thappa, General Manager, Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) briefed the audience about mandate and various trade and export promotion initiatives undertaken by J&K Trade promotion. He added that JKTPO regularly organizes and participates in various activities like Buyer-Seller Meets, Trade Fairs, Exhibitions, Conferences, Seminars, etc. at National and International level for registered members and omen entrepreneurs. For participation in these events, Startups Exporter/ Entrepreneurs/FPOs/other Sellers from can register themselves on JKTPO’s website – www.jktpo.in.

All District Officers of Agriculture , Horticulture , State Rural Livelihood Mission, Handicraft and Handloom, Industries and commerce, Agriculture Marketing Officer, who are also members of District Level Export Promotion Committees and Industry Associations, Industrialists, Self Help Group members, Artisans, Farmers and FPOs attended the workshop.

G20 provides a great opportunity for lending a healing touch to the world in times of challenges, Amitabh Kant, India's G20 Sherpa, said on Tuesday. The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world's major developed and developing economies. India will assume the presidency of the powerful grouping from the current chair Indonesia on December 1.

 

G20 provides a great opportunity for lending a healing touch to the world in the times of challenges and take it back on the path of peace and prosperity, Kant said at an event organised by industry chamber PHDCCI.

 

Stressing that G20 is the right blend of developed and developing nations, he said with Indonesia holding the current presidency role, handing over the baton to India in December and then from India to Brazil shows that emerging markets will play a major role in the G20 Presidency.

 

PHDCCI President Saket Dalmia said the Presidency of the G20 is a watershed moment for India and the industry chamber would like to contribute in supporting the government in fulfilling its G20 agenda.

 

The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).

 

The G20 summit is taking place on November 15 and 16 in Bali.

 

The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, representing around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

As India has allowed export of 60 lakh tonnes of sugar, for the first time ever, the country is likely to export a record 10 lakh tonnes of refined sugar. The industry and the trade are also confident about exporting 60 lakh tonnes of sugar by March and have demanded a second tranche of 30 lakh tonnes of sugar export quota.

 

India announced its 2022-23 sugar export quota on Saturday. Traditionally, India has been known to export lower grade white sugar and raw sugar. However, this year, the premium quality refined sugar exports are expected to jump.

 

'So far India has signed export contracts for 25 lakh tonnes of sugar. This year, the export of refined sugar is expected to be around 10 lakh tonnes,' said Aditya Jhunjhunwala, president, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA).

 

Refined sugar is the purest form of sugar used in India for specialty use like by pharmaceutical companies.

 

Maharashtra-based sugar broker Abhijit Gorapade said, 'Many Indian mills have signed forward contracts for refined sugar exports thanks to an excellent premium they could get in August/September.'

 

Sugar prices in the EU hit record highs in October on a shortage of gas, used as a source of energy in sugar production process. According to the food ministry data released this week, in sugar season 2021-22, India exported 110 lakh tonnes of sugar and became the second largest exporter of sugar in the world, earning about Rs.40,000 crore worth of foreign exchange.

 

Sugar mills have been given the option to either surrender the quota partially or fully within 60 days of the date of issue of order or swap the export quota with domestic quota within 60 days.

 

The industry thinks that the option of swapping export quota with other sugar mills will help in faster liquidation of the surplus sugar stocks. Sonjoy Mohaty, director general, ISMA said, 'The fact that the government has allowed sugar mills to exchange their export quota with domestic quota of any other sugar mill within 60 days from the date of issuance of the order will ensure liquidation of the surplus stock.'

As India-Israel ties touch new heights, the Jewish nation is all set to open two agriculture Centres of Excellence (CoE) in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Speaking exclusively to India Today, the Agriculture Attache at the Embassy of Israel in India, Yair Eshel and Director of Agriculture Department in Jammu KK Sharma said that Israel will open two Centres of Excellence (CoE) in Jammu and Kashmir as part of the Indo-Israel Agriculture Project (IIAP).

 

Eshel visited the agricultural farms lying near the India-Pakistan border in Jammu on Friday. Later, he also visited the Kashmir valley where he toured some agricultural farms.

 

The Israeli official was visiting the farms to shortlist the locations for the CoE. They will be opened both in the Jammu division and in the Kashmir valley.

 

Yair Eshel told India Today, 'Jammu and Kashmir has a lot of potential. We are ready to share our advanced technology with the farmers of Jammu and Kashmir.' He added that the Israelis want a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.

 

The director of Jammu and Kashmir’s agricultural department, KK Sharma said, 'We are elated that Israel will set up two CoE here.'

 

The ruling BJP at the Centre has also welcomed Israel’s interest in Jammu and Kashmir’s agricultural sector.

 

This comes as a major initiative by Israel after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A.

 

Meanwhile, J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina told India Today that Israel's interest in the agriculture sector in J&K is a stern message to Pakistan. He added that the Jewish nation is India’s trusted partner and has stood with us through 'thick and thin'.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has scuttled the efforts to introduce 'blended Basmati rice' for sale in the country by deciding not to accede to a proposal that has been in the works since 2017.

 

'The FSSAI decision basically will protect the purity of basmati rice and not allow any dilution, given the geographical indication (GI) tag for it,' said S Chandrasekaran, a trade analyst and author of 'Basmati Rice: The Natural History Geographical Indication'. 

 

The decision, notified on October 31, will benefit farmers to get more returns, while consumers will gain by getting to eat 'pure basmati'. Right now, domestic consumers pay more for basmati with prices ranging between Rs.100 and Rs.250 a kg. In the global market, Indian basmati rice 2 per cent broken is quoted at $1,500 a tonne, data from the Thai Rice Exporters’ Association showed.

 

Scotch whisky blend

Chandrasekaran, who responded to invitations for comments from the FSSAI, said blended basmati would have brought a new category of rice and if allowed it would affect the reputation of the fragrant rice in the global market. 

 

'In Scotch whisky, a blend comprises two scotch whisky varieties and no non-Scotch is blended. Allowing blended basmati will defy the definition of GI under GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, and Article 22 of TRIPS agreement of WTO,' he told businessline.

 

FSSAI said it had sought views from authorities if the blended basmati category should be omitted or allow 30 per cent blending. One of the members said any basmati rice packet having over 15 per cent non-basmati variety will be considered 'blended rice' and not as 'blended basmati rice'. 

 

The FSSAI has, therefore, decided not to have any upper limit of blending and delete the word 'basmati' and suitably amend the labelling requirement. 

 

Purity argument

The other argument against the blended basmati sale is that the purity of seeds used by growers is 98 per cent and even what millers buy is of the same level of purity. 

 

Thailand’s premium Jasmine rice is marketed with 98.5 per cent purity, while Saudi Arabia and the UK do not allow basmati rice to be sold with not more than 7 per cent of other varieties mixed in it. 

 

Experts say basmati rice should protect the quality, reputation and other characteristics of the long-grain rice.  

 

'The definition of basmati, issued through an order in 2008, refers to the aroma but does not quantify it. A number of current basmati varieties do not have an aroma,' said Chandrasekaran.

 

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) took up a research project on basmati rice aroma but so far there is no methodology available on its aroma, he said. 

 

'Considering the term ‘possess natural fragrance’ in rule 26 (1), it is inevitable to have aroma assessment and quantification procedure,' Chandrasekaran said. 

 

The FSSAI move will now guarantee the quality and authentication label of basmati rice. 'The current range in the price of basmati in the domestic market is too huge to justify when basmati paddy sells between Rs.25 and Rs.35 a kg,' he said. 

 

The FSSAI decision will increase the cost for rice millers to comply with the norms, while the authority will have to incur costs for its enforcement, particularly for DNA testing. 

 

The decision will also regulate the basmati market, which has a demand of about 4 million tonnes (mt) for exports and 1.5 mt in the domestic market. 

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has asked the Customs authorities to clear for shipments the consignments of broken rice that entered the container freight station (CFS) before the ban was imposed on the export of the cereal. Though the government has not specified the quantity held up at CFS, trade sources said it could be around 15,000 tonnes and these are over and above 3.97 lakh tonnes (lt) of quota issued last month.

 

In a notification issued on November 7, the DGFT said, 'where broken rice consignment has been handed over to the Customs before this notification (banning export) and is registered in their system...with verifiable evidence of date and time stamping of these commodities having entered the Customs Station prior to September 8,' shall be allowed.

 

It has also asked the Customs to ensure that these are shipped by November 30.

 

On October 12, the DGFT announced that 3.97 lt of fully broken rice would be allowed for exports till the end of the current fiscal. Two days later, it issued procedures and had stipulated that online applications between October 16 and October 20 will only be considered for issuing the permits. It had asked exporters to file a separate application for each of the valid letter of Credit (LC) opened before September 8, when the government banned the shipment of broken rice.

 

The country exported 89.57 lt of non-Basmati rice worth $3.21 billion (Rs.25,191 crore) in the first half (April-September) of the current fiscal, up by 9 per cent from 82.26 lt worth $2.97 billion in the year-ago period. However, there is a drop in price realisation by exporters to $358/tonne from $361/tonne.

 

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal today called for enhancing bilateral trade and deepening cultural relations between India and Kyrgyz Republic. He was addressing the 10th Session of the India-Kyrgyz Republic Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation (IKIGC).

 

The 10th session of IKIGC was held in a virtual format. It was co-Chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal and Mr. Imanov Talantbek Oruskulovich, Minister of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic. The talks were held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

 

Shri Goyal noted that India and Kyrgyz Republic shared warm and friendly ties. He said that India was among the first Nations to establish diplomatic relationship with Kyrgyz Republic in March 1992 and observed that 2022 marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relationships between the two nations.

 

The Minister said that the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the Kyrgyz Republic in June 2019 had raised the relationship between two nations to the level of strategic partnership. The Minister pointed out that there was immense potential for expansion of bilateral trade between India and Kyrgyzstan. He said that India was very enthusiastic about participating in trade shows and exhibitions in Kyrgyztan and invited Kyrgyztan to take part in trade expos in India.

 

Both sides discussed mutual cooperation and steps to further enhance them in the fields of Trade & Economy, Development Partnership, Investment, Digitalization, Intellectual Property, Agriculture, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, Education, Environment, Standardization & Metrology, Banking, Transport, Labour, Mining and Power sectors. Emphasis was given to increase the bilateral trade and investment opportunities. The sides agreed to take necessary measures to increase the interaction of exporters and importers of the two countries and expand the trading basket.  

 

A Protocol of the 10th session of the IKIGC was signed between India and the Kyrgyz Republic. Both the sides agreed to hold the 11th session of the IKIGC on a mutually convenient date.  

The FSSAI has issued a direction that only parameters that were found non-conforming shall be analysed in referral laboratories. The direction was regarding imported food consignments, whose samples found non-conforming with certain parameters during the primary lab testing.

 

'For the samples taken from imported consignment referred to referral laboratory on request of importers, it has been decided that only parameters, results of which in primary lab found non-conforming to the limit specified in the FSS Regulations and the applicable safety parameters not tested by the primary lab, if any, will be tested by the referral lab,' reads the direction.

 

The direction added that the analysis report issued by the referral lab shall be final and according to Dr Amit Sharma, Director Trade & IC, FSSAI, the direction shall be valid till further order.

 

The matter was related to the sampling of the imported food consignment wherein in case if the imported consignment fails at the level of primary lab, sample is referred to the referral laboratory for re-analysis and according to the provision of FSS Import Regulations, the referral labs test all the parameters specified in the FSS Regulations.

 

Dr Sharma stated, 'This takes much time and results in delay in clearance of the imported consignment. This also causes inappropriate utilisation of the resources, which can be utilised for other pending samples, and make it possible to initiate action timely as per FSS Act.'

 

According to the sub-regulation 10 (5) of the FSS Import Regulations, form 2 has been referred for lab analysis report by the notified lab and section C (related to the conclusion) of the 'form' specifies that the ‘samples conform to the specifications laid down for all the parameters in the Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder’.

Mr Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State (Agriculture and Farmers Welfare), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt of India today said that soon an accelerator program of Rs 500 crore will be started to take forward the successful initiatives of Agri Start-ups in which DARE, DPIIT, Agri Incubators, agriculture universities, research institutes, investors and other stakeholders will be included.

 

Addressing the 5th edition of FICCI Agri Start-up Summit & Awards 2022, Mr Choudhary said that there will be a separate division of Agriculture Start-up to be set-up in the Ministry to be led by Joint Secretary. 'A cell will also be created to work as a single window agency to facilitate all the linkages required for Agri Start-ups,' he added.

 

Dr Sudhanshu, Secretary, APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Industries, GOI, emphasized that Increasing agriculture exports is a national imperative and Agri start-ups are potential partners in this journey. Efforts are being made to promote and support agri start-ups for engagement in agri exports and strengthening of the start-up ecosystem

 

Dr Neelam Patel, Senior Advisor (Agriculture & Allied Sectors), NITI Aayog said that Agri start-ups are taking pragmatic approach towards innovation that is solving farmer problems at ground level. She further added that now it’s time to push throttle towards export orientation & build synergies with FPOs.

 

Mr TR Kesavan, Chair, FICCI Agriculture Committee and Group President, TAFE at FICCI Agri Start-up Summit & Awards said that Cutting-edge technology is changing the agriculture sector in India. The start-up ecosystem is creating a legacy which is expected to continue in generation alpha.

 

Mr. Hemendra Mathur, Chairman, FICCI Task Force on Agri Start-ups, highlighted that Start-ups can build innovative solutions around traceability, quality assaying and trade facilitation to boost India’s food and agri exports.

 

Ms Vedika Kapoor, Head GA, South Asia, Corteva, speaking at FICCI’s Agri Start up event said, sustainable innovation, soil health management and providing climate resilient technologies to farmers is vital. Sustainability is no more an option but a necessity, it has to be a collective responsibility of all.

 

U.S. Soy embraces sustainable agricultural practices to meet today’s global need for soy products without compromising the ability for future needs to be met said Mr Jaison John, Team Lead -India at U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC).

 

Agriculture sector contributes 25% to overall GHG emissions. Going ahead, Agri startups need to focus on providing affordable and innovative solutions while reducing food wastages, improving Agri supply chain efficiency and minimising carbon footprints said Mr. Ashok Varma, Partner, PwC

 

Mr Pankaj K Dwivedi, Head of BD & Agronomy, Nurture.farm highlighted that the burden of sustaining food systems needs to be distributed instead of cantered on farmers. All the major stakeholders need to look for simple and implementable solutions said

 

FICCI-PwC Knowledge report ‘AgTech: A smarter route to sustainable agriculture’ was released during the event.

 

Key highlights of the FICCI PwC Knowledge report:

 

FICCI PwC Knowledge report emphasizes that the requirement of food is growing year on year however the land area producing the crops are more or less the same. World is going to face a challenge to ensuring food availability for approx. 9.73 billion people by 2050 while sustaining the environment at the same time. Solution to this lies in innovative and smart technological solutions for increasing crop production and maintaining ecological balance.

 

Secondly, the climate change poses a severe threat to crop yield and thus ensuring food security is going to be a challenge in future. Agriculture alone contributes to 25% of GHGs emissions and it becomes exigent to adopt and promote agricultural practices that ensure food security while conserving environment at the same time.

 

Report recommends a four pronged ‘UDAI’ approach for achieving sustainable agriculture through Agtech Startups

 

Unique solutions for regenerative practices & natural solutions are imperative.

Developing transparency & traceability system is important for future agriculture

Adequate training & education to service providers & farmers is vital

Innovation through R&D and fostering networking culture needs to be promoted

India on Thursday said it is working 'sincerely' with the UK for finalisation of the proposed free trade agreement, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak agreed on the 'early conclusion' of the deal. 'Both sides are working sincerely on the free trade agreement,' External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

 

His comments came when asked about the FTA during a media briefing.

 

'As we have said earlier, the matter of negotiations is best left to the trade ministers and their teams of officials. I cannot comment on the status. I certainly do not have any target date,' Bagchi said.

 

The issue of the FTA figured in the first telephonic conversation between the two prime ministers on October 27.

 

In a tweet on his talks with Sunak, Modi said: 'Congratulated him on assuming charge as UK PM. We will work together to further strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We also agreed on the importance of early conclusion of a comprehensive and balanced FTA.'

 

In April, the two sides had set a Diwali deadline for concluding the FTA but the deal could not be finalised in view of differences over certain issues.

 

It is learnt that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly took stock of the ongoing negotiations for the FTA during their talks here last week.

 

Cleverly visited India to attend a United Nations meet on counter-terrorism.

 

To a question on the US not having a full time ambassador to India, Bagchi said 'we would hope the position would be filled soon'.

 

The Biden administration had in July 2021 announced the nomination of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as the next US Ambassador to India.

 

However, Garcetti's nomination is yet to receive confirmation from the US Senate.